thank you to everyone to helped with this issue.

This was indeed a DC power supply problem.

I finally tracked down a AC/AC 16V PSU for use in the UK and it is now working as it should, both directions and train going faster than ever, Jack my son is now very happy!

http://www.stagebeat.co.uk/product.php?product_id=121310
Peavey Power Supply Unit PSU 16v 1100mA AC
£20.00

many thanks
Scott

Quote from: Jerrys HO on August 31, 2011, 07:34:17 PM
absterok,
when you checked voltage and you switched to the other direction did it drop to zero or did it show a negative in voltage? I just checked mine and with the multi-meter hooked up when I switched direction it showed negative voltage of the same positive voltage. This is showing the track feed cable is fine. If yours drops to zero than I would assume your controller is faulty.
The two center posts are for AC power for switches, lighting etc.
  As for being compatible with the Hornby I would not know but in a previous thread there was another poster that did have problems with the Hornby system on a different problem.
  Jim Banner  has helped alot of out of the states posters such as yourself I would suggest sending him a personal message for his input.
Jerry

it seemed to dip to negative then return to zero almost immediately, i hadnt seen your post at this point, i was unsure about this, i will look at it again tonight and take notes, i have a digital meter now which might help a bit, thanks scott

thanks for everyones help

has anyone got a bachmann psu that can test the output from it?

the bachmann psu states 16v AC

The Hornby says 15V DC

when i tested the yellow poles i did get a voltage and it was unaffected by the dial, but i wasnt looking too much at what it was (i could do with a digital meter), but im wondering if on the bachmann controller the 16V AC terminals are a sort of passthrough

im at work now, but i'll test it and note whats coming out of where, i dont really understand AC/DC, maybe im just unlucky with 2 faulty controllers.
thanks
scott

the controller has a 3.5mm stereojack type connector at one side, its difficult to test at output, but at end of cable that plugs into track i only get a voltage when the switch is left, nothing when at right position

this is the controller  http://compare.ebay.com/like/160580124639

at the track, its a plug in connector, there are 2 spade connectors on the track, it i pull out the plug and reverse it the train goes in the opposite direction, i think this means the track and connectors from the track onwards is fine.

are the controllers ac or dc, could it be some incompatability with the hornby psu, unfortunately the bachmann psu states 110v so it will blow for sure if i plug it in.

thanks
scott

hi

i got a Bachmann Trains Deluxe Thomas and Friends Special Ready-to-Run HO Train Set for my son from the US, im in the UK.

I purchased a Hornby PSU which fitted just fine, its 15V DV i believe

problem is the controller only works in one direction, its a blue controller with a direction switch, but it only seems to work when switched to one side only

i got another replacement off amazon and it does the same thing, have i been unlucky twice or is it something else

ive taken the train to my fathers hornby track and the train goes both directions no bother, a multimeter across the track only shows voltage when switch in the working side.

any clues?

thanks
scott